What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?

The primary purpose of the Bill of Rights is to protect individual liberties and rights from government infringement. Ratified in 1791 as the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights was introduced to ensure that specific protections for individual freedoms were clearly articulated and guaranteed. These amendments cover essential rights such as freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and the right to bear arms, as well as protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, cruel and unusual punishment, and self-incrimination.

This focus on individual liberties responds to the fears of the Anti-Federalists during the ratification debate, who were concerned that a strong central government could encroach upon the personal freedoms of citizens. By explicitly outlining these rights, the Bill of Rights serves as a fundamental safeguard, affirming the principle that certain rights are inherent and should be protected from government overreach.

In contrast, defining the structure of government pertains more to the main body of the Constitution itself, which lays out the organization and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Outlining state powers relates to the powers not delegated to the federal government, which are reserved for the states, and while voting rights are significant, they are addressed more directly in later amendments rather